Telephone-exchange.



ITO-852,575. PATBNTED MAY 7, 1907 N. E. NORSTROM.

TELEPHONE. EXCHANGE.

APPLIUATION FILED OOTA, 1901.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1.

B I 4 'V A I11 q' Fla. 2

WITNESSES wE/VTOR ATTORNEY.

PATBNTED MAY 7, 1997.-

N. E. NORSTROM.

TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

APPLICATION mum OCT. 4, 901.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES PATENTED MAY 7, .1907.

N. E. NORSTROM. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

APPLICATION FILED OOTA, 1901. I

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

uorR 4 522m 0 HWENTOR ATTORNFY Qos No. 852,575. PATENTBD MAY 7, 1907 N. E. NORSTROM.

' TELEPHONE EXCHANGE.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.4, 1901.

ESHEETS-SHEET 4.

PDL RIZE INVENTOR A TTOR E Y.

nits EMEL roiis rson,*or c nsssit ASSIGNMENTS, rt

or SIERLH,

isicnlinnsolv, .KEATING.

Specification of Letters Patent. 1

GO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOTR, BY DIRECT AND ANDERSON, OF SALINA, KANSAS, M. E. KANSAS, AND JOHN'H. MARTIN, AND H.

TELEPtit-BNE-EXCHANGE.

Patented May 7, 1907.

- Application filed October 4,1901. Serial No. 77,527.

7 Be it known that I, NrLs EMEL Noiis'rnoir,

- acitizcn oi the United States of America, and aresident of Chicago, county of Cook, l

{State of Illinoiahave invented certain and usefiil Improvements in Telephone Exchanges, of which the following is a speci float-ion My invention relates to party line telexo phone exchanges and has for its object improv ments in the devices and methods of operating such exchanges.

in the accompanying drawings Figure l isa plan. of the switching mechanism used '1: art-the local stations; Fig. 2- is a section on line 2 "2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of i ig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 -4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an elevation of the ratchet wheel 20 and its support detached, the frame and the pawl-carrying lever being 1n section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a plan of Fig. 4,

the upper part being removed; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a central oliice at the left 2 island and a local station at the right hand;

and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing two addi tional local stations, all of which local stations are connected to the central otlice'bythe wires 100 and 150.

The switching mechanism is supported in I :a frame J, which frameis made so that it may be secured to a telephone box directly beneath where the enerator is sup crted.

The object of this is simply a convenient,

3 means of polarizing the armature A the magnet-cores A-A This 1s, accomplished by the proximity of thepermanent magnets of the generator. The armature A may,

, however, be a permanent magnet itself, and

40 thus be polarized without being placed jaccnt torthe generator. Adjacent to are polarized armature Alisiab ar C which is held flagainst stops C by thesprings C In the =,armature A pins Cfwhiclr engage SlOlJS 5 in the bar C. The arrangement is such that I the bar and its connections,;nor1nally.,hold

forward.

of a spring A around the "the armature in its niid-positionbut permit post A hen a current is sent through the magnet in. a direction that will cause the 5 armature A to be attracted to the pole A, the pawl A will drive the ratchet wheel A When a current is sent through the magnet in the opposite direction the armature A will be attracted to the ole A, an action that results in moving t e pawl A in an opposite direction. When this occurs, a tail-piece A on the pawl A 'strikes a post ,A the effect of which is to release the said pawl from the ratchet wheel. The -6 5 tailiece A also strikes a tail-piece A on the olding pawl A and also releases it from the ratchet wheel. This action releases the ratchet wheel, when it is returned to its. normal position against stop A by means osi. A". Secured to the ratchet wheel A and adjustable by means of the screw A is a pointer or contact maker P. adapted to come into electrical contact with a post 54.when the ratchet wheel is moved from its normal position. The distance the ratchet wheel has to be moved before contact between P and 54 depends upon the adjustment of pointer P. In any series of switches connected together the pointers P are located difi erent distances from the contact posts 54, so that when all of the pointers are moved simultaneously they w ll come successively in contact with their corresponding contact 8 posts 54.

Adjacent to the parts just described is a second magnet B, onthe armature of which is a'contact piece 68. On the piece 68 is a pin 680 adapted to come into contact with a contact spring 74 when the armature of magnet B is attracted. Pivoted on the post A is a hookedlever 69 which projects to a position adjacent to the piece 68. -These parts are so related to each other-that when the armature of B is attracted the piece 68 is caught and held by the hooked lever 69. In this condition 68, 69 and 74 are in electrical connection with each other. On the lever 69 there is a lprong 690, and on the lever A there is a'pin These parts are so related tov each other that when the magnet AA is operated so as to cause the release of the pawls A and A the pin A strikes the frong 690 and releases the hooked lever 69- 05. rom the piece 68.

be placed in the holes E when the arm E is turned on its pivot. A spring (not shown) holds the arm-E4 normally against a. contact to spring 43 which it presses away from a contact point 44. The-arm E isconnected by a train of gears to a contactdisk 51, a part of which disk consists-of insulating material.

13A 14: 15-:r16-l50-ftO central o'fiice-- .'1718'1 9D 100 back to 2-0 of stir-I The said train of gears is-soarranged that the i r 5 disk 51 will make one rotation while the arm E is moving a distance between-one hole E- and thenext adjacent one. By a ratchet wheel and a pawl,'-or other suitable device,

theztrain of gears is set in motion only when 1 20, the arm E 'is moving-toward its normal position. The structure of these devices at the central ofiice not being a part of the present application, there is shown in Fig. 6 onlyso.

-muc h as is necessary for a clear understanding of 7 made. Located adjacent to the disk 51 is a' contact spring which makes'a'n electrical connection'with said disk "once during. each rotation thereof. The springs 50 and E 30 and the gearing and disk 51, are so relatedthat the spring contacts a pin in a hole E when the spring 50 is in contact with the insulating part of the disk 51.

'Located'at a conven ent place near the 5 'ringE are two switch arms S and Swhich are;

connected together by a bar 5 so that they will move together. J They are, however, insulated from each other. In the paths of the arms S and S are rows of contact points 0 S? and S 'The left hand contact points of each row constitute together "a pair of con.-

tact points from which run wires 47 and 56 to wires 23 and 34 that connect a pair of plugs F. From other pairs of contact points 4 5 in the rows S and S other 'wires'run to similar plugs in any desired number. There are also at the central office aseries ofspring jacks, one of which is represented by the springs 17 and 35. It is from these springs 50 that the party lines 100 and 150 run, and there will'be as many of these spring jacks as there are party lines running from thecentralofiice. Also at the central oflice are a drop D, a high resistance clearing-out drop 5 5 D, a condenser W, the ordinary'operators I sets, and keysand contacts connected as shown in Fig. 6. At each local station there is an ordinary telephone set connected as.

shown. In the diagrams only one party line is shown, and. the description WlllTl-b foronly one line. Obviously, howeverdifl'erentparty lines may be connected togetherby meinsof plugs inserted in difieren't spring ae s..

6 5 In arranging thestationsiona party line,

steps; and soon.

how the electrical connections 1? the switch at stationNo. lwill have its con- I tact. maker P set so that it will be on'e'step oi" its ratchet wheel from the contact post- 54. At station No. 2 this-distance will be two steps at'station No. 3 it will be three "t 'the subscriber at station No. 1 wishes to talk to the subscriber at station No. 3;- then the operationwould be as Assuming th 'follows: The subscriber at station .No. 1,'

either before or after removing his receiver,

turns the crank of his generator G, when' a tion Nof. 1- 21 G. This operates the drop.

and notifies the operator that a subscriber on. the connected party line is calling. The op erator then insertsa'plug Fin the connected spring jack and moves the key'2 6,- belonging to that, plug, to the left. Then with both, re:

ceivers removed the talking I circuit. between the centraloffice and station N'ogl istl K at 40-K. The subscriber then tells the operator that station No. 3- is' wanted, whereu on. she

moves the switch arms Sand S to t e' contact points connected with the plug previously inserted' .in-the s ring jacks, nserts pins in the first and thir holes E of the ring E and moves the arm E away from its normal 30- 4 sition. Upon' thereturn orv said armth'e roo disk 51 is rotated. During each rotationfnf there is an electricalconnection between 50 and 51 and at each connection a current flows as follows :X41 42 '43 4.4

This operates all ofthe switches onthe party line and moves them forward step, by ste When the spring E touches a in in the ho e E thereis another current as ollows:-X..

+17 150'to 16 of the station which at themom'ent has its contact maker P on-its con'- back to. the central36. 35- -F 34 nected to 69 and '74. It will be observed that the switching mechanisms of all of the. 7

local stations move, e ual distances, and that the-contact maker P oe's not; stop at its eon-.

tact point 54. This contact point jis there fore, notin" the talking circuit-butis used as a means of permitting a -currentg-to lbe-gse'nt r heea r i hv mam e to call a subscriber are indepenomt of pletes a talking circuit when operated. As soon as the arm E is again at its normal position the operator presses key 26 to the right and turns the crank er generator, when a current flows:G-- ii6162 -"36434-F 3 536100 to of the iirst and third stations37-H6566Q 67686916150 back to central-1 7 -F23- 25. 26'70 71- 72-G. This operates the ringingmagn et Q of both stations.

If the subscribers at the calling station has kept his receiver off of its hook, then the current would go only through the third station. lVhen the called subscriber has removed his receiv'erthe talking circuit is as follows 9-K at station No. 1 2273'7468;69 l615() to 16 of station No. 3-6968-74 -73 22 K-4O R39-38H37+ 20100-station No. 12037-H -38 39R40 K. When through talking the subscriber ringsofi' as follows :G10-11 227374-68 69 1,6 150* 17F -Q325D56--34 361OO 202 1-G. This notifies the operator who presses the release key 83 when a current flows as follows: a:-41-4280-81 49 ground at central to ground at the local stati011s48A A 15 16 -1 5() 17- F 23-47-S46828353-X. This is a current through the switch magnets in the opposite direction to the'operating current and the result -of it, is to release the ratchet wheels A and permit them to re turn to their normal positions.

All of the operating actions exceptri nging whether the receiver is off or on its hook.

The condenser l/V is bridged between ground and the operating line 150, the result of which is that each time a current is sent from the battery X the condenser is charged. Breaking the circuit discharges the condenser,

the effect of which is to prevent armatures from sticking to their magnets.

What I claim is: f p '1. The combination with a party line, and

i a series otlocal telephone stations, of a times when connections are completed thereto by the'switching devices 2. The combination with a party line, and

a series of local telephone stations, of switching devices at the different local stations and sent over said line will cause the operation of .connected to the party line so that impulses said switching devices, a telephone set at each stationhaving a normally closed connection to the party line, but arranged. to.

have such connection broken upon the first movement of the associated switching mechanism, a'telephone connecting device at each local station arranged to re-establi sh the connection between its associated telephone set and said party line, means by which the operation of said switching mechanisms will make electrical connections to the connecting devices in succession, and means-by which connection between the station and the partyline when the normal connection has .been broken, means by which upon sending a series of electrical impulses oversaid party line, the normal telephonic connection of each station will be broken by the first impulse and succeeding impulses will connect the telephone connecting devices in 'succession to' the party line, and means by which selected on'esof the connecting devices'may be oper-. ated by secondary impulses sent over the party line. I

4;. The combination with a central ofiice, a party line, and a series of local telephone sta tions each having a normal telephonic connection with the party line, means controlled from ,the central ofiice for simultaneously breaking the telephonic connections of al local stations, a connecting magnet at each local station by the single operation of any one of which the station at which it is located will be again placed in telephonic connection with the party line, and automatically operating meanspontrolled from the central ol'-- fice' for operating selected ones of the connecting magnets so as to place desired-stations in telephonic connection with the party line and with each other.

5. The combination with acentral oflice, a

party line, and a series of local stations connected to the party line, of switching mechanism at'the local stations adaptedto be simultaneously and equally operated by-impulses sent from the central oflice, a contact' point inthe path of each switching mechanism, said contact points being, arranged'so that upon simultaneous operation of the switching mechanisms connections will be made to the contact points in succession, a"

connecting magnet connected to each contact point and arranged upon operation to connect its station telephonically to the party line, and means by which electrical impulses may he sent from the central offi'cethrough twoor. more selected ones of the connecting magnets at the times when the switching mechanisms make connections to them.

6. The combinationwith a central office, a

partv line,- and a series oflocal stations con-p alsobe sent through two or more selected nected to the party line, of a battery located at'the central office, switching mechanisms at theloc'al stations adapted to be operated by electrical impulses sent from the central-office, a connecting magnet at'each local station,

said magnets being arranged so that connections will be completed to them in succession by the movements of the switching mechansms statibn by which-a branch of the impulse sent through the switching mechanisms may the other contact making device tablish connections in "succession to the connectingmagnets and each contact made by will operate 'a, selected connecting magnet so as to connect its station telephonicallyto the party 8. .The combination with a party line, a series of local stations each of which is normally capable of telephonic connections with. the line, and means for sending a series of Y impulses over the line corresponding in num-- ber tothe stations thereon, of a switch ng mechanism at each'station operated by the impulses sent over the line,

, match means by which the normal telephonic capabilities tions are extinguished by the first movement of the switches thereat, means by which the possibility-of restoring the telephonic capability is temporarily provided at'the stations one by one in the order of the impulses sent,

,and automatically operating means by which such possibility is transformed into telephonic capability at selected ones of said stations. l I

9. The combination with a party line, and a series of local stations, of'a switching mechanism ateachstation arranged to be advanced and released by suitable impulses sent for connecting it telephonically'to theparty.

line, "a catc'h'for holding such. COIIDQC-LIOII,

closed, and-means operated by therelease of said switching mechanismior' releasing said '10. The combination with a selecting magnet and a connecting magnet located ata local'station in a partyline exchange, of a by the operation of the connectingmagnet, and 'eansfor causing said-connection to be and means controlled from the central 7 of all sta--' over the line, a magnet at each station for its station .closed 1 seams net.

ii. The combination with a selecting magnet and a connecting magnet located at a local station in. a telephone exchange, of a telephonic connection for the station closed by the operation of the connecting magnet, a'hook for holding said connection in a closed condition, and means for releasing said'hook by an operation of the connecting magnet so a as to break said connectioni 12. The combination with a central-'oflice, a party line, and a telephone set at each station connected by two branches to the party line, one of-Which branches [may be closed by a subscriber at the station and the other of which is closed only by an. central oi'lice, a magnet at each stationfor in a normally open branch, means controlled breaking the first branches of all stations and the magnets in succession,'andmeans also branches, at selectedstations. v

13. The combination with a central office series of local telephone stations, each of battery and the switcling mechanisms-oi the different stations, a telephone set at each station provided with two branches to the the'other of which is normally open,:a'con-' necting magnet at each local station located in a-nor'mallyopen branch from the party line, means by which a series of impulses'sent over said circuit from said battery will operate to first break the no mally closed branches to the telephone sets and then temporarily close the branches to the magnets in "succession, means controlled'i r om the'central office for sending impulses from said battery through one *or more of the temporarily closed branches, and means by which an impulse ed' magnet will serve to close the normally open branch to the telephone set. I

14;. ,The combination with a-party line. a series of 'local stations, and a switching mechbroken by an operation of the selecting maga series-of local stations, of

closing thesecond branch and itself located from the central o'llice for simultaneously for temporarily closing the connections tov controlled from the central'ofiice for sending an impulse through selected ones of said magnets so as to cause the closure of the second provided with a battery, a party line, and a party line, one of which is normally closed and operation controlled from the" which is provided with a switching mechari ism, of a circuit including theparty line, the

so sent through a temporarily c'onnectanism at each station for connecting it'telephonically to the line, of a telephone 'connecting magnet at.each station,'means for to permit the selective operation of'anyde= sired number of the connecting magnets, a

operating-said switching mechani'sms'so as telephonic connection for' each station closed for maintaining said .con11c- 8 -s i tron 1n a closed condltion, and means for releasing said hook by the release action of the associated switching mechanis 15. The combination with a {ha line, a series of local stations, and a switching mechanism at each station, of a'connecting magnet at each station, means for operating said switching mechanisms so as to permit the selective operation of any desired number of the connecting magnets, a telephonic connection for each station closed by the operation of the connecting magnet thereat, means for holding said telephonic connection closed, and means for causing said telephonic connection to be broken by the return of said switching mechanism to its normal position. 16. They combination with conductors leading from a central oflice to a series of local 7 stations, of a switching mechanism at each local station, a magnet at each station for controllingits switching mechanism, a normal I contact normally closed. by said switching mechanism, av telephone setvfor each station normally bridged between said conductors 'thfougha circuit including said normal contact, meansat the central office for sending impulses through said magnets to cause'said switching mechanisms to advance stepby step to break the electric connections atthe normal contacts and thereby to disconnect the telephone sets from circuit with said conductors, a second contact 'at' each station adapted to be closed by the associated switching mechanism after a number of imulses have been sent, said secon "mt-acts eing arranged so that each 16q1111a:=. a different number of impulses to cause its closure, a second magnet at each station connected with the central office by the closure of the associated second contact, means for sending an impulse through a second magnetJwhen-its second contact is closed, and

, devices actuated'by said second magnet to 7 again connect its telephone set with said conductors;

17; The combination with a central oilice, a party line, and a series of local stations, of

a switching mechanism at each local station,

a normal telephonic connection for each sta- ,tio'n closed by its switching mechanism when normal position, a second magnet at each station, means controlled from the central office for advancing the switching mechanisms so as to first break' the normal telephonic ccimections of said stations and subsequently to connect the second magnets in succession to the central oflice, means for sending an impulse through a second magnet at the time that it is connected to th central oihce, and devices actuated by said sec-- ond magnets for re-establishing the telephonic connections of their respective stations.

18. The combination with a party line, a seriesof switching mechanisms, a battery,

and means for sending impulses from said battery over said line to operate said switching mechanisms, of a condenser bridged between the vbranches of the circuit for said switchingmechanisms and so arranged that the charge it receives when'an impulse is sent over the line becomes discharged when the impulse ceaseswwhereby residual magnetism of the magnets for said switchingmechanism is neutralized.

1 9 The'combination with the two branches of a circuit, a battery, and means for closing mechanism toits normal condition, and a switching device operated by the releasing magnet for opening the signal-receiving, circuit. 1

22. A party telephone-line eiitending from a plurality of subscribers stations to an exchange, each subscribers station having thereat a signaling-generator, a signal receiver or belLsWit'ching mechanism serving, when unset, to permit of operative association between the signaling-generator and the line and between the telephone and the line, and, when actuated, to dissociate the generator and telephone from the line, additional switching mechanism for establishing operative association between the telephone and the line at a selected station,a detent engaging an actuated portion of the additional switchingmechanism to hold the same in the position to which it is set, electromagnetic apparatus governing the aforesaid switching mechanisms and also operating to break the engagement of the detent at a selected station, and apparatus at the exchange .ror governing the operation of: the electromagnetic mechanisms at the different stations. I

23. A party telephonedin'e extending from a plurality of subscribers stations to an exchange, each sultscribers station having thereat a signaling-generator, a signal receiver or hell, switching mechanism serving,

when unset, to permit of operative association between the signaling-generator and the line, and, when actuated, to dissociate the generator from the line, additional switching mechanism for establishing operative association between the telephone and the lineat a selected station, "adetent en aging an actuated portion of the additional switching mechanism to hold the same in the position to which it is set, electromagnetic apparatus governing the aforesaid switching mechanisms and also operating tobreak the engagement of the detent at a selected station, and apparatus at the exchange for governing the operation of: the electromagnetic mechan-- 1o isms at the'difl erent stations. w

- 24. A party telephone line extending from a plurality-of subscribers stations to an exchange, each subscribers station having thereat a signaling-generator, a signal re- 5 ceiver or bell, switching mechanism serving, whenunset, to permit of operative association between the signaling-generator and the line, and when actuated, to dissociate the generator from the line, additional switching mechanism for establishing operative association between the signal-receiver and the line at a selectedstation, a detentengaging an actuated portion of the additional switching mechanism to hold the same in the position to which it is set, electromagnetic appa-' ratus governing the aforesaid switching mechanisms and also operating to break the engagement o'f'the detent at a selected station, and apparatus'at the exchange for gov- 3 erning the operation of the electromagnetic mechanisms at the different stations.

25. A party telephone-line extending from a plurality of subscribers stations toan exchange, each subscriber's station having thereat a telephone, switching mechanism serving, When unset, to permit of operative association between the telephone and the line, and, when actuated, to dissociate the telephone from the line, additional switching mechanism for establishing operative association between the telephone and the line at a selected station, a detent engaging an actuated'portion of the additional switching mechanism .to hold the same in the position towhich is it'set, electromagnetic apparatus governing the aforesaid switching mechan" isms and also operating to break the engagement of the detent at a selected station, and apparatus at the exchange for'governing the operation of-the electromagnetic mechanisms atthe different stations.

. 26; A party telephone-line extending from a plurality of subscribers nations to an exchange, switching mechanism for establish 55 ing operative association between-the telephone and the line at a selected station, a detent engaging an actuated portion of said switching mechanism to hold the same in the- ,position to 'whichtit is set, electromagnetic Sc apparatus governing the aforesaid switchingmechanismand also operating to break the Engagement of the detent at a selected station, and apparatus at the exchange for governing the operation of t electromagnetic 5 mechanisms at the different stations.

mechanism and also operating to break the of the detent from connection with the switchstations. .r

27. A party telephone-line extending a plurality of subscribers stations to an exchange, switching mechanism for establish:

ing operative association between the.tele phone and the-line at a selected station, a de-.' tent engaging an actuated portion of said switching mechanism to hold the same in the position to which it is set, electromagnetic apparatus governing the aforesaid switching 7 engagement of the detent at a selectedstau 5 tion, and apparatus for governing the oper ation of the electromagnetic-mechanisms at the difierent stations.

28. Substation apparatus for partvtele- .80

phone-lines, including switching mechanism serv ng to control the'association of the telephone with the line, a detent for holding the switching mechanism in the position to which it has been actuated, and electrornag 5 netic mechanism for operating the. said switching mechanism, to permit the detent to engage the same, and for breaking the engagement of the detent from connection with the switching mechanism; Y w 29. Substation apparatus for party telephone-lines, including. switching mechanism serving to control the association of the tele-Z phone with the line, a detent for holding the switching mechanism in the position to which it has been actuated, and electromagnetic mechanism for operating the said switching mechanism, to permit the detent to engage the same, and for breaking the engagement- I f 0 ing mechanism, in combination with switching apparatus at an exchange for effecting" the operation of said electromagnetic mechanism:

v 30. A party telephonedine extending from. r05- aplurahty of substations to an exchange, sig-. a

naling-generators at the'substations, switch-I ing mechanism for establishing operative a'ssociation between the signaling-geni rators' and the line at the different stations, siectroiro magnetic apparatus governing the aforesaid sw itching mechanism, and-apparatus at the exchange for governing the pperation'of the electromagnetic mechanisms at the different .5 31. A telephone-line extending from a substation to an exchange, asignalinggenerator at the substation, switching niechanism for establishing operative assoc ation be: tween the generator and the llIlG, 8l8Ct1O-- no magnetic mechanism governing vthe oper ation of the switching mechanism, and ape paratus. at the exchange for governing the, operation of the electromagnetic mechanism.

Signed at Chicago, Ill this 16th day. of

Sept 1901. v

NILS EMEL. NORSTRO'M.

Witnesses:

WM. A. ROWLAND, 0.. L. Rnnrrsno'. 

